As I look around the world, I see scientists and rationalists like me … we’re always going around asking ourselves, ‘What if I’m wrong’? And, sometimes, scientists are proven wrong, as new discoveries are made, and they have to revise or discard a theory. You don’t see many among the religious crowd asking that question. They don’t seem to be very interested in asking themselves, ‘What if we’re wrong’? ... Religion makes people inflexible, unchangeable, rigid, fanatical, dogmatic and blinded by their faith. They become brainwashed and indoctrinated and deliberately choose to remain ignorant about reason, logic, sagacity, sense, and reality. In a sense, they are rationally, emotionally and intellectually removed from the real world. This question should be especially relevant and appropriate for them since they have no proof nor evidence to validate their beliefs. And, these beliefs and convictions become increasingly harder to rationalize, explain and justify as new scientific discoveries and pieces of evidence come to light.
… Daniel Dennett.